Extraordinary Products Revealed

25 unexpected uses for beauty, fashion, and household items

Repurpose spare buttons by using them to keep pairs of earrings together: Most buttons have at least two holes in them, so simply place an earring in each opening to neatly store when not wearing. Photo: Jupiter Images

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2. Eyebrow Brush

Stuck without a lint-remover? Use this handy makeup tool to remove unwanted fuzz from your shirt. Photo: Courtesy of Sephora

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3. Dryer Sheets

No time for a shampoo? Rub a dryer sheet on your hair to tame flyaways and make your hair smell shower fresh. Photo: Courtesy of amazon.com

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4. Unused Stockings

Create a chic shrug by taking a pair of tights or stockings and cutting off the feet (or use a pair of footless tights to save a step). Place arms where legs would normally go and—voila!—you've created a sleek spring alternative to a shawl or cardigan. Take it a step further by cutting slashes into the fabric, à la Monique Lhuillier's ballerina-inspired fall 2009 collection. Photo: Imaxtree

5. Shimmer Eye Shadow

Between visits to your colorist touch up dark roots by spraying a light hairspray onto them and—depending on what hue your highlights are—brushing a shimmering gold or brown eye shadow over the top. Photo: Courtesy of Nordstrom

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6. Toothpaste

Have yellow nails? Scrub them with toothpaste to remove stains and add shine. You can also add a few drops of lemon juice for extra whitening; it's a natural bleaching agent. Photo: Courtesy of amazon.com

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7. Eggs

Strengthen hair by creating an egg yolk-and-olive oil hair mask. The protein in the egg yolk will toughen up tresses, while the olive oil will act as a conditioning agent. Photo: Jupiter Images

8. Toilet Paper

Don't want to splurge on oil blotting sheets? Take a thin toilet-paper square and use it to blot excess oil on your T-zone. Photo: Jupiter Images

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9. Facial Toner

Did you make a mistake applying your self-tanner? An alcohol-infused astringent or toner can help fix splotches and streaks. Photo: Courtesy of Walgreens

10. Honey

If your skin is sensitive and blotchy, apply a couple tablespoons of honey to your face and leave on for five to 10 minutes. The honey will moisturize, soothe, and help kill blemish-causing bacteria. Photo: Jupiter Images

11. Cooking Spray

Rather than spray quick-dry oil on your nails, reach for a cooking spray instead. Just be sure it's the original, unflavored version or you might get grossed out by garlic-scented cuticles. Photo: Courtesy of amazon.com

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12. Nail Polish

Secure buttons by applying a thin layer of polish to the center to keep thread from coming loose. Coating the bottom of your shaving-cream can with lacquer can also prevent rust stains from forming on your squeaky-clean bathtub. Photo: Courtesy of amazon.com

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13. Flat Iron

A hair straightener works great for ironing between buttons on your shirt, where a regular iron doesn't fit. You can also use it for minor wrinkles on your blouse when you're in a hurry. Photo: Courtesy of ghd

All out of toilet cleanser? Toss in two dissolving antacid tablets, wait 20 minutes, and brush. This will help to remove those nasty stains around the toilet bowl. Photo: Courtesy of Jupiter Images

16. Clear Tape

Remove dry skin from lips by pressing the sticky side of tape to your pucker, or see what a nail polish color will look like without the mess by placing a small piece on your nail and doing a quick test. Photo: Courtesy of Jupiter Images

17. Petroleum Jelly

Help avoid blisters from those stylish-yet-painful stilettos by coating problem spots with petroleum jelly before slipping shoes on. Also: Neaten a nail job by dabbing on skin around your cuticles pre-polish. This way, if you make a mistake, the polish is easily wiped away. Photo: Courtesy of amazon.com

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18. Listerine Mouthwash

Have a painful blister that popped? To disinfect, dab a few drops of Listerine Mouthwash on—it's a powerful antiseptic. Photo: Courtesy of amazon.com

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19. Yogurt

If you burn your forehead using a curling iron, slather plain yogurt on the wound—the coolness will help with swelling and the yogurt will reduce redness and speed the healing process. Photo: Courtesy of Dannon

20. Paper Towels

Don't have rollers on hand? Wrap hair in twisted paper towels; you can use more or less leaflets depending on how large or small you want the diameter of your curls to be. Photo: Courtesy of amazon.com

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21. Vinegar

Considered a natural bleach and powerful cleanser, vinegar (just a dab) can reduce the blueness of bruise. This kitchen staple can also be used in your bubble bath to help prevent yeast infections. Tip: Try apple-cider vinegar for a less pungent smell. Photo: Jupiter Images

22. Rubber Band

Make room for an expanding waistline by hooking a rubber band through the buttonhole of your pants; secure the other side to the button, and wear a tunic top to cover up your handiwork. Photo: Jupiter Images